US commanders in Afghanistan want to attack militants in Pakistan: NYT

New York, Apr.20 : United States commanders in Afghanistan have reportedly urged the Bush Administration to allow them to expand the range of their operations into Pakistan, a request that has been promptly rebuffed.

The New York Times quoted officials in Washington as saying that attacking Pakistani radicals may anger Pakistan's new government and destabilise an already fragile security situation.

The military officials urging attacks in Pakistan have discussed a list of potential targets with the US Ambassador in Pakistan Anne Patterson, the officials said, requesting anonymity.

Officials involved in the discussions said that they had not ruled out striking militants in Pakistan's tribal areas.

Administration officials said the risk of angering the new government in Pakistan and stirring increased anti-American sentiment in the tribal areas far outweighed the benefits of dismantling militant networks in the region.

ANI